Tray-Supported Floor Mats for Livestock Handling Equipment

ABSTRACT

A floor assembly for livestock handling equipment features a pair frame members lying in a longitudinal direction and spaced apart from one another in a lateral direction transverse to said longitudinal direction, and at least one support tray connected to the frame members and spanning therebetween in the lateral direction. At least one mat is supported atop the support tray(s). The mat is made of rubber or other resilient material for improved footing and comfort of the livestock. The topside of each mat is flush with a topside of the frame members to provide an even floor surface across the full area floor area. The mat(s) are removable for cleaning, and open gaps around the support tray(s) are provided for drainage. Non-welded attachment enables convenient removal and replacement of the support trays in the event of rust or other damage.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. Non-provisional applicationSer. No. 16/464,130, which is the national phase of PCT/CA2017/050049,filed Jan. 16, 2017, each of which is incorporated herein by referencein its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to livestock equipment, and morespecifically to floor assemblies for same that include one or more matsfor improved comfort and footing for the animal relative to conventionalsteel floors.

BACKGROUND

It has been previously proposed in the art to provide a rubber coatingon the floor of a livestock squeeze chute for improved gripping betweenthe floor and the feet of the livestock. An example of such a rubbercoated squeeze chute floor is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,111,773.Similarly, U.S. Patent Application Publication 2009/0145364 discloses arubber coated platform in a livestock treatment carousel.

However, a permanent rubber coating over a continuous steel floor orplatform has several limitations, including draining of fluids and muckfrom the floor and accessibility of floor components for cleaning,inspection, repair and replacement.

Other references disclose use of rubber mats in stables, factories andother animal housing environments, for example as disclosed in U.S.Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0060450 and U.S. Pat. Nos.3,699,926; 6,220,205; and 5,989,695. However, these references focus onthe structure and compositions of the mats themselves, and provide nosuggestion of how to incorporate such matting into the floor structureof a squeeze chute or other piece of livestock handling equipment.

Accordingly, there remains room for improvement in padded floorassemblies for squeeze chutes and other livestock handling equipment.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to one aspect of the invention there is provided a floorassembly for livestock handling equipment, said floor assemblycomprising:

longitudinal frame members delimiting an inner frame space therebetween;

a plurality of support trays connected to the longitudinal frame membersin installed positions spanning between said frame members in a lateraldirection transverse to a longitudinal direction spanned by said framemembers, said support trays being spaced from one another in thelongitudinal direction to leave drainage gaps between said supporttrays; and

one or more mats, of a different quantity than said plurality of supporttrays, supported or supportable atop said at least one support tray inthe installed position thereof to provide a mat-lined floor surfacebetween said longitudinally oriented frame members;

wherein:

the one or more mats are dimensioned to span, in at least substantialentirety, both an overall length of the inner frame space from one endthereof to another in the longitudinal direction, and an overall widthof the frame space measured from one of the longitudinal frame membersto the other in the lateral direction;

a dimension of each of said drainage gaps between the support trays,measured in the longitudinal direction, is lesser than a correspondingdimension of each support tray that is likewise also measured in saidlongitudinal direction, and said overall length of the inner frame spaceis more occupied by said support trays than unoccupied by said supporttrays.

In the detailed embodiment that follows, the one or more mats spanacross said drainage gaps in the longitudinal direction.

In the detailed embodiment that follows, the drainage gaps are fullycovered by said one or more mats.

In the detailed embodiment that follows, said one or more mats comprisesa plurality of mats abutted together at one or more seams, and saidseams reside at positions of non-coincident relation to the drainagegaps.

In the detailed embodiment that follows, each mat spans at least saidsubstantial entirety of the overall width of the frame space.

In the detailed embodiment that follows, each mat spans at least saidsubstantial entirety of the overall width of the frame space, and theplurality of mats are abutted end-to-end with one another in thelongitudinal direction, with the seams lying crosswise to saidlongitudinal direction.

In the detailed embodiment that follows, said different quantity of saidone or more mats is a lesser quantity than said plurality of supporttrays.

Preferably tray fasteners are provided by which the plurality of supporttrays are removably fastened or fastenable to the frame members.

Preferably said tray fasteners comprise rivets by which each supporttray is riveted to the frame members.

Preferably there a set of mat fasteners are provided by which the atleast one mat is fastened or fastenable to the at least one supporttray, said mat fasteners being of a different type, and more readilyremovable, than said tray fasteners.

Preferably the mat fasteners comprise removable threaded fasteners.

Preferably the support trays are fastened to the frame members and theat least one mat is fastened to the one support trays in a manner morereadily removable therefrom than the support trays are removable fromthe frame members.

In original equipment embodiments the floor assembly is assembled duringproduction of the overall piece of livestock equipment, and includessaid longitudinal frame members.

In other embodiments, the floor assembly is provided as a kit lackingsaid longitudinal frame members, whereby the trays and mat(s) of the kitare intended for aftermarket or retrofit installation on thelongitudinal frame members of a pre-existing piece of livestockequipment.

According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a methodof servicing the floor assembly that includes comprising shearing,punching and/or drilling out one or more of the tray fasteners to removeone or more of the support trays for replacement thereof.

Preferably the method further includes installing one or morereplacement support trays using a same type of tray fastener which wassheared, punched and/or drilled out during the removal of said one ormore support trays.

In the detailed embodiment that follows, the livestock equipment is alivestock chute.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

One embodiment of the invention will now be described in conjunctionwith the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is an assembled overhead perspective view of a squeeze chutefloor assembly according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an exploded overhead perspective view of the squeeze chutefloor assembly of FIG. 1 .

FIG. 3 is an isolated perspective view of a singular support tray fromthe squeeze chute floor assembly of FIG. 1 .

FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of the singular support tray of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is an end elevational view of the singular support tray of FIG. 3.

FIG. 6 is an overhead plan view of the assembled squeeze chute floorassembly of FIG. 1 .

In the drawings like characters of reference indicate correspondingparts in the different figures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 shows a fully assembled floor assembly 10 for a livestock squeezechute. The floor assembly features two longitudinal frame members 12running horizontally parallel to one another in a longitudinal directionof the squeeze chute from an entrance end 14 at which the livestockenter the chute to an opposing exit end 16. At the exit end 16, thesqueeze chute will typically feature an openable/closable head gate fortemporarily holding the head of the animal prior to exit thereof fromthe chute. A first cross-member 18 spans perpendicularly between thelongitudinal frame members 12 at the entrance end 14, and a secondcross-member 20 likewise spans perpendicularly between the longitudinalframe members 12 at the exit end 16. Collectively, the longitudinalframe members and cross-members form a rectangular base frame or chassisof the squeeze chute, the remainder of which is omitted for ease ofillustration, and may be of conventional construction. As illustrated,the longitudinal frame members and cross-members may be formed byrespective lengths of rectangular metal tubing, though use of otherconstructions are also within the scope of the present invention.

Turning to FIG. 2 , the exploded view of the floor assembly reveals theinclusion of a series of support trays 22 a-22 i attached to thelongitudinal frame members 12 in the space delimited between the twocross members 18, 20. Of these support trays, a first end tray 22 a atone end of the series resides adjacent the first cross-member 18 at theentrance end 14 of the floor assembly, and a second end tray 22 iresides at the opposing end of the series adjacent the secondcross-member 20 at the exit end 16 of the floor assembly. A set ofintermediate trays reside between the two end trays, and includes acenter tray 22 e residing at the longitudinal center of the floorassembly. The illustrated embodiment features a total nine trays in theoverall series, but it will be appreciated that this number may vary. Inthe illustrated embodiment, the trays are all identical to one anotherin construction, and are evenly distributed in the longitudinaldirection of the floor assembly.

The purpose of the support trays is to carry a set of rubber mats 24 a,24 b atop the trays within the rectangular inner space of the baseframe, as delimited by the longitudinal frame members 12 and cooperatingcross-members 18, 20. FIG. 1 shows the fully assembled state of thefloor assembly, in which a substantial entirety of this rectangularinner frame space is fully occupied by the set of rubber mats 24 a, 24b. The mats 24 a, 24 b are placed end-to-end with one another in thelongitudinal direction of the floor assembly. In the illustrated two-matembodiment, the mats 24 a, 24 b meet in abutment or close adjacency toone another above the center tray 22 e at the longitudinal center of thefloor assembly. Opposite these meeting-together inner ends of the twomats, each mat features an outer end that resides in abutment with orclose adjacency to a respective one of the cross-members 18, 20.Accordingly, the end-to-end placement of the mats provides anuninterrupted, substantially continuous mat surface spanning from oneend of the floor assembly to the other. The width of each mat spansnearly the full width of the inner frame space, as measured between thetwo longitudinal frame members in a lateral direction that isperpendicular to the two longitudinal frame members and parallel to thecross members 18, 20. Accordingly, the set of mats collectively span asubstantial entirety of both the longitudinal and lateral dimensions ofthe inner frame space of the floor assembly. In the two-mat example ofthe illustrated embodiment, each mat spans a respective half of thecenter tray 22 e, plus the entirety of one of the end trays 22 a, 22 i,and the entirety of each intermediate tray disposed between saidrespective end tray and the center tray. Underlying the inner end of theboth mats, the center tray 22 e is thus also referred to herein a sharedtray partially occupied by multiple mats.

FIGS. 3 to 5 illustrate one support tray 22 from the series of identicalsupport trays 22 a-22 i. The tray 22 features a main rectangular panel26 whose topside denotes a central support area of tray. In theillustrated embodiment, the main rectangular panel 26 has a lengthdimension L that exceeds a perpendicular width dimension W thereof andlies parallel to the transverse direction of the floor assembly. Theshorter width dimension W of the tray thus lies in the longitudinaldirection of the overall floor assembly. However, the sizing andrelative width and length of each tray may vary from those ofillustrated embodiment. At opposite ends of the main panel's lengthdimension L, a respective pair of short end walls 28 standperpendicularly upright from the topside of the main panel 26. At thetop end of each upright end wall 28, a pair of mounting flanges 30project perpendicularly outward from the upright end wall 28 at oppositeends thereof to present an overhang reaching outwardly from the mainpanel 26 at an elevated plane thereabove. Each mounting flange 30features a respective mounting hole 32 therein. At opposing lengthwiseside edges of the main panel 26, a pair of downturned walls 34respectively hang perpendicularly downward from the main panel 26 overthe full length L of the main panel 26 between the two upright end wall28.

Turning back to FIG. 2 , with specific referenced to the installedposition of the second end tray 22 i, the main panel 26 of the tray 22 iresides between the facing-together inner sides of the two longitudinalframe members 12. At the inner side of each longitudinal frame member12, a respective end wall 28 of the tray 22 i spans upwardly along theinner side of the longitudinal frame member 12 to the topside 12 athereof, where the overhanging mounting flanges 30 span outwardly fromthe tray's end wall 28 over the topside 12 a of the longitudinal framemember 12. Each longitudinal frame member includes a set of mountingapertures 36 in the topside 12 a thereof at spaced locations along thelongitudinal direction of the flooring assembly. Each of these mountingapertures 36 aligns with a respective one of the mounting holes 32 inthe support tray mounting flanges 30. Each support tray is fastened tothe longitudinal frame members 12 by rivets 38 that are fastened throughthe aligned mounting holes and apertures at the four mounting flanges 30of the tray. This connects the support tray to the longitudinal framemembers 12 in an installed position spanning the lateral dimension ofthe inner frame space between the two longitudinal frame members 12,with the main panel 26 of the tray residing at a reduced elevation belowthe topsides 12 a of the longitudinal frame members. The twolongitudinal frame members 12 are of equal, uniform cross section sothat their topsides 12 a reside in a shared horizontal plane, wherebythe main panels 26 of the identically structured and identically mountedsupports trays all lie coplanar with one another at the reducedelevation recessed below the shared plane of the frame member topsides12 a.

The topsides of the main panels 26 of the series support trays thus formcentral support areas on which the mats 24 a, 26 b are seated. Thethickness of each mat 24 a, 24 b is equal to the height of each tray endwall 28, whereby the topsides of the mats lie flush with the topsides ofthe longitudinal frame members 12 when the mats are seated atop theinstalled support trays. The width of each mat in the lateral directionof the base frame is generally equal to the length L of each tray's mainpanel 26, whereby the mat fully spans between the two end walls 28 ofeach underlying support tray so as to substantially occupy the entirelateral dimension of the inner frame space delimited between the twolongitudinal frame members 12. Accordingly, with the mats placedend-to-end so that their collective length spans fully from onecross-member to the other to occupy the full longitudinal dimension ofthe inner frame space, the entirety of the inner frame space issubstantially spanned by the mats in both directions.

For fastening the mats 24 a, 24 b to the support trays, each matcomprises two sets of end-adjacent fastener holes 40, 42 disposedrespectively adjacent the two longitudinally-spaced ends of the mat.Each tray 22 features three sets of fastener holes in the main panel 26thereof, namely one set of edge-adjacent fastener holes 44, and two setsof center-adjacent fastener holes 46, 48. The edge-adjacent fastenerhole set 44 in the main panel 26 is defined adjacent one of thelengthwise side edges thereof that lie in the lateral direction of thefinished floor assembly. The two center-adjacent fastener hole sets 46,48 are situated near a center-line 50 of the tray's main panel 26 insymmetric relation to one another across this center line 50, which liesparallel to the two lengthwise side edges of the main panel 26.

Mat 24 a has its end-adjacent fastener hole set 40 aligned over theedge-adjacent fastener hole set 44 of the first end tray 22 a, and itsother end-adjacent fastener hole set 42 aligned over one of thecenter-adjacent fastener hole sets 46 of the shared center tray 22 e.Likewise, mat 24 b has its end-adjacent fastener hole set 40 alignedover the edge-adjacent fastener hole set 44 of the second end tray 22 i,and its other end-adjacent fastener hole set 42 aligned over the othercenter-adjacent fastener hole set 48 of shared center tray 22 e. Toaccomplish this, the two end trays 22 a, 22 i are situated in opposingorientations relative to one another, whereby the edge-adjacent fastenerhole set 44 of first end tray 22 a resides adjacent the firstcross-member 18 and thus nearest to the entrance end 14 of the assembly,while the edge-adjacent fastener hole set 44 of second end tray 22 iresides adjacent the second cross-member 20 and thus nearest to the exitend 16 of the assembly.

In the illustrated embodiment where each mat spans multiple tray widths,the center-adjacent fastener holes 46, 48 of the trays are used only atthe shared center tray 22 e where the ends of the two mats 24 a, 26 bmeet one another. In this embodiment, where the full length of the floorassembly is spanned by two mats, the edge-adjacent fastener holes 44 ofthe trays are used only at the end trays 22 a, 22 i that underlie theouter ends of the two mats. While the illustrated embodiment usesidentical trays each having the same fastener hole layout, therebyreducing the number of distinct parts to manufacture, other embodimentsmay have different hole layouts at different trays according to theirparticular installed positions in the series relative to the mats. Theinclusion of only one edge-adjacent set of fastener holes 44 per trayreduces the number of holes to be created during manufacture of thetrays, thereby reducing fabrication steps and/or machinery components,but requires a particular orientation of each end tray 22 a, 22 i duringassembly. Alternatively, a second edge-adjacent hole set may be includedat the opposing side of the tray, in which case each tray can beinstalled in any orientation.

The mats 24 a, 24 b are fastened down to the support trays by threadedscrew fasteners 52 driven through the mat's fastening holes 40, 42 andinto the fastening holes 44, 46, 48 of the trays. As shown, thefastening holes of each mat may be counter-sunk at the topside of themat so that the screw heads are recessed therefrom. Used of threadedscrew fasteners enables convenient and easy removal of the mats forthorough cleaning of both the mats and the underlying support trays. Toallow liquid and muck to drain from the floor assembly during cleaning,the trays 22 a-22 i are installed at spaced apart positions in thelongitudinal direction of the frame to leave open gap spaces between theadjacent trays. Likewise, during use of the squeeze chute, any liquid ormuck that may seep down under the mats at the seams or small gapsbetween adjacent mats, and between the mats and the surrounding members12, 18, 20 of the base frame, can likewise drain through these open gapsbetween the trays. The gaps G are most apparent in the drawings in FIG.6 , where the two ends of each gap are visible between mounting flangesof adjacent trays, and the majority of each gap beneath is locatedbeneath the installed mats, and thus denoted by broken lines.

The rubber mats are resiliently compressible, at least in the thicknessdirection thereof, and thus undergo a small amount of sponge-likecompression when stepped on by the livestock. This provides improvedgrip for more confident footing, and thus less chance of slippagerelative to a steel or other hard floor surface. The rubber mats alsoprovide a softer more comfortable feel to the animals, not only whenstanding or walking on the floor, but also by providing reduced impactforce and sofer support in the event of an animal fall inside the chute.While described mats are of rubber composition, other resilientlycompressible materials of suitable durability may alternatively be usedto similar effect.

With the topside of the mat residing generally flush with the topsidesof the longitudinal frame members, the overall floor structure isgenerally planar across its entire lateral dimension to minimizetripping or stumbling hazards that might otherwise be presented byuneven surfaces at the topside of the floor assembly.

The riveted installation of the support trays is preferable over weldedattachment, as it provides semi-permanent yet removal attachment of thetrays to the frame. In the event that the trays become rusted orotherwise damaged, the rivets can be removed, for example by shearingoff the heads of the rivets and punching or drilling out the pins of therivets, and new trays then installed by riveting in a replacement set oftrays. No specialized welding skills or equipment are required. Thescrew-based fastening of the mats enables even easier removal thereof toenable periodic cleaning of the underlying supports trays, and thoroughcleaning or replacement of the mats.

Like the number of trays, the number of mats may be varied from thetwo-mat configuration of the illustrated embodiment, and the number oftrays spanned by each individual mat may likewise be varied.Additionally, while the illustrated embodiment is described as the floorassembly of a squeeze chute, the same general layout of one or moresupport trays spanning between longitudinal frame members to support oneor more mats may likewise be employed in a floor assembly for otherlivestock handling equipment.

The floor assembly may be incorporated into new equipment builds duringoriginal manufacture of same. Additionally or alternatively, theinvention may be marketed in the form of an aftermarket installation kitcomprising a set of support trays for retrofit installation on anexisting piece of livestock equipment by fastening of the support traysbetween the existing frame members of the equipment. Suitablydimensioned mats may be included as part of the kit, or sold separatelytherefrom. The kit may include fasteners for mounting the trays andfastening the mat to the mounted trays, or one or more of these fastenersets may be separately acquired.

While the illustrated embodiment is described as having pre-definedmounting holes in the frame members and tray flanges, and pre-definedfastener holes in the mats and trays, other embodiments may vary fromthis configuration. In the event of aftermarket installation, theinstaller can drill rivet-accepting mounting holes in the frame membersof the pre-existing livestock equipment. If the support trays lackpredefined fastener holes, self-drilling/self-tapping screws may be usedto fasten down the mats, which likewise may optionally lack pre-definedfastener holes.

Since various modifications can be made in my invention as herein abovedescribed, and many apparently widely different embodiments of samemade, it is intended that all matter contained in the accompanyingspecification shall be interpreted as illustrative only and not in alimiting sense.

1. A floor assembly for livestock handling equipment, said floorassembly comprising: longitudinal frame members delimiting an innerframe space therebetween; a plurality of support trays connected to thelongitudinal frame members in installed positions spanning between saidframe members in a lateral direction transverse to a longitudinaldirection spanned by said frame members, said support trays being spacedfrom one another in the longitudinal direction to leave drainage gapsbetween said support trays; and one or more mats supported orsupportable atop said at least one support tray in the installedposition thereof to provide a mat-lined floor surface between saidlongitudinally oriented frame members; wherein: the one or more mats aredimensioned to span, in at least substantial entirety, both an overalllength of the inner frame space from one end thereof to another in thelongitudinal direction, and an overall width of the frame space measuredfrom one of the longitudinal frame members to the other in the lateraldirection; each mat occupies more than one of the support trays; and adimension of each of said drainage gaps between the support trays,measured in the longitudinal direction, is lesser than a correspondingdimension of each support tray that is likewise also measured in saidlongitudinal direction, and said overall length of the inner frame spaceis more occupied by said support trays than unoccupied by said supporttrays.
 2. The floor assembly of claim 1 wherein said one or more matsare of a different quantity than said plurality of trays.
 3. The floorassembly of claim 1 wherein said one or more mats are of a lesserquantity than said plurality of trays.
 4. The floor assembly of claim 1wherein each mat spans a longitudinal entirety of at least one of thesupport trays.
 5. The floor assembly of claim 1 wherein each mat spans alongitudinal entirety of more than one of the support trays.
 6. Thefloor assembly of claim 1 wherein said one or more mats comprises aplurality of mats abutted together at one or more seams, and said seamsreside at positions of non-coincident relation to the drainage gaps. 7.The floor assembly of claim 1 wherein each mat spans at least saidsubstantial entirety of the overall width of the frame space.
 8. Thefloor assembly of claim 7 wherein each mat spans at least saidsubstantial entirety of the overall width of the frame space, and theplurality of mats are abutted end-to-end with one another in thelongitudinal direction, with the seams lying crosswise to saidlongitudinal direction.
 9. The floor assembly of claim 1 wherein saidone or more mats continuously and uninterruptedly span a substantiallyfull area of the inner frame space.
 10. The floor assembly of claim 1comprising tray fasteners by which the plurality of support trays areremovably fastened or fastenable to the frame members.
 11. The floorassembly of claim 10 wherein said tray fasteners comprise rivets. 12.The floor assembly of claim 1 wherein each support tray is riveted tothe frame members.
 13. The floor assembly of claim 10 comprising a setof mat fasteners by which the at least one mat is fastened or fastenableto the support trays, said mat fasteners being of a different type, andmore readily removable, than said tray fasteners.
 14. The floor assemblyof claim 13 wherein the mat fasteners comprise removable threadedfasteners.
 15. The floor assembly of claim 14 wherein the tray fastenerscomprise rivets.
 16. The floor assembly of claim 1 wherein the supporttrays are fastened to the frame members and the at least one mat isfastened to the support trays in a manner more readily removabletherefrom than the support trays are removable from the frame members.17. A method of servicing the floor assembly of claim 10 comprisingshearing, punching and/or drilling out one or more of the tray fastenersto remove one or more of the support trays for replacement thereof. 18.The method of claim 17 comprising installing one or more replacementsupport trays using a same type of fastener which was sheared, punchedand/or drilled out during the removal of said one or more of the supporttrays.
 19. A livestock chute comprising the floor assembly of claim 1.